Draft regulator



Nov. 1, 1938. R. M. VIDALaE 2,135,130-

413mm? REGULATOR Filed March 5, 1936 2 sheets-sheet 1 R. M. VIDALIE No'v. 1 1 938.

DRAFT REGULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 3, 1936 @Mouw/15 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 Rene M. Vidalie,

signor to` Preferred Utilities Company,

a corporation of Delaware New York, N. Y.,

`Application March K3, 1936, .Serial 17 Claims.

This invention relates to'automaticdraft regulators and has particular reference to that type ,wherein counter-balancing Weights may jbe adjusted to insure a substantially -constant prederf termined-draft on a boiler `regardless -ofoutside weather conditions. Such regulators maintain .this .constant draft by mixingrnore or less outside ,air with .the `stack gases as Ythe stack 'pull is increased or decreased due to changes in atmospheric conditions. This results in Aan even ,pull .on the ,fire box .of the boiler yregardless .of .outside conditions. Y

An object oi theinvention is to insure rthe .automatic .maintenance-of vsuch .a constant `draft in large boiler plants Where the economy produced thereby is of great importance. This is accomplished Yby my improved. re `lator which is capable of exceedingly of a series of counterbalancing weights ,so .arrangedand constructedthat themass of the reg- ,ulating mechanism may be delicately .poised on its pivotal mounting and the other `adjustments subsequently made to produce and .maintain the desireddraft under existing conditions.

Other objects and meritorious features of the invention will .become apparent vfrom therfollowing specifications taken in conjunction with the drawings, vvherein:

.Figure 1 illustrates my improved regulating mechanismsornewhat .diagramrnatically in association With a damper door; Y V Figure 2 is an elevation oi the improved .regulating mechanismV per se; I Figure 3 isa section along line 3--3 of Figure 2; I 'Figure 4 "is a section along line 4--4 of Figure 2 Y j Y Figure v5is a 'front elevation of one oi the variable Weight supports; A

Figure 6 is a section through the same support diagrammatically showing WeightsY positioned thereby, and y l Figure 7 'is a perspective oi one of the interchangeableWeight-s which may be used with any onefoi various Weight receptacles associated with the regulating mechanism.

Referring now ito Figure l, the improved regulator is Vshown in conjunction with a box or cabinet l0 having an opening l2 in the front to receive a door I4 and an opening i6 in the backto guide the air to the Vvbreeching-or stack of the boiler. A throat 518 may be secured vby flanged 'joints 20 around 'the rear opening of the cabinet Where it is noil possible to fasten the vcabinet di- 55 rectly to the breeching or stack. The ,door l4'is fine adjustment by means Port Washington, N. Y., as-

Inc.,

no. .oasis (01.' 23e- 45) arranged tosvving inwardlyoniy. about a horizontal pivot 22 .to Which the bottom oi said .doorfis secured in .anysuitable .-fashion.

The regulating ment having a be secured tothe outeriace of the `door M in such -manner that its rotative center is substantially coincident with the element is provided with a lplurality of variable balancing Weights which may be so adjusted that the said door 1 provides an opening accurately Variableto .admit a variable amount oi air in accordance with the tendency of the draft .to change .due to Youtside weather conditions.

The ,regulator has been illustratedin the form of a sector-like element composed of radial arms 24 and 26 and their included arc 28. While the included arc 28 is a true arc throughout, the radial `arms 24 and 26 do not constitute true radii thereof for reasonsto be brought out' more clearly hereinafter.l l

Forpurposes lof illustration this sector-like element has been shownformedoi T-shapedY stock comprising a central web section 30 and vai outer peripheral flange 32. Projections 34' are ararranged at spaced intervals on one side of the web 3o Vinside flange 32. These projections may be integral With the sector-like element and extend throughout the major portion of its arc. They are Ypreferably provided with consecutive numerals as indicated at 3S. A radial ar'm38 iS Y pivoted at one end to stud 4U which is located at Athe joinder of the two radial arms 2li andZB.

v The arm is "shown as pivoted by means oi a bolt 4,2 AVwhich extends through slotY M in the arm.v The'arm must be pivoted through such a lost motion connection as the slot provides because the outer end thereof is adapted'to swing around the 'periphery of 'the true are of the sector-'like element but its pivotal point is not at the 'true center thereof.` Y

The other end of arm 38 is bifurcated'oneportion 4B bei-ngv offset 'from the plane foi the 4arm and `adapted to swing lacross the smooth face Iof y the web 30 andthe -other being threadedly apertured to receive a small hand wheel 48 Whichma-y be manually manipulated to cooperate with the projectionsd to i'ixedly position the said arm 38 at any point in its swinging movement.

A Weight y5!! is slidably postioned upon arm-:38 and provided with a threaded aperture adapted to receive,anothersmall-manually operable hand Wheel 52 which functions .to `ixedly position the said Weight at anyv point ,in .its Vsliding movement along the arm 38. The ,said arm 38 maybe ,pro-

circular periphery and `adapted to -5 door .pivot 22, which n pil The open end of cylindrical weight receptacle 56 is provided with a cover plate apertured to receive adapted to extend through' vthe slots 66 in the weights 68 to assist in positioning the same withinrthe receptacle. This bolt 'Ill is threaded into of the receptacle. dumbbell receptacle of a rod 86, threaded `at each Vend. extending through the slots in the weights and held in place by nuts 88.

is provided with a series of spaced laterally extending rigid straps 98, secured to or made integral with y Which the'heretofore described regulating assembly issecured to the door I4.Y Duelto the design of the sector-like element as heretofore described, the door pivot 2 2 coincidessubstantially with the rotative center'of the sector-like Aelement when the sameisatta'ched tothe door. The arm 26 are positioned by means thesaid arm, by

the door. In other Words, the center Qing! n arc of the sector-like element coincident with pivot 22 of the door I4.

maintained in the boiler. ment of the device may the following manner:

,Operation and adjustbe described briey in eld. end of strap 90 may be called the draft balancing weight.

exerts a constant pull tending to close the door I4 regardless which the said door may be.

the door. 50 permits an exceedingly fine adjustment ofthe door, poising the same delicately upon lits pivot at `any open- -ing lof the ydoor which fproves most feasible for 'given draft conditions. Variation vof 'the weights Iin the sector balancing weight will relieve -any tendency toward too rapid movement of the door VVdvi-iring varying draft conditions.`

arms. It is likewise true that in positioning :the

regulator Vmechanism on the door it maybe impossible to make the center of the true arc 'coincide precisely with `the pivot 22 of door I4. It will therefore be understood that an important feature of 4the design resides in the vfact that 'the twolare substantially coincident. Itwill ylikewise be understood that the element which has been termed a sector-like element does not constitute a true sector in `that the Aarms ,24 and 26 are not true radii. The language of the 'claims is Ato be interpreted din the light of the explanations made herein. YIt is obviously unimportant whether a solid element havingsuch `a sector-like shape as the element illustrated is used in lieu of the latter, theimportant `point being the geometrical arrangement of the assembly.

Itis to :be noted that the-weights 60 andthe 'various supports Vor receptacles therefor are so` arranged that the said weights may be used interchangeably in any of the supports or receptacles.

Various modifications of the vdevice illustrated herein will `be apparent to those skilled in the art and for that reason I wish to limit myself only within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A draft regulator including in combination a pivoted door, an element having a circular periphery of more than 180 and occupying a plane intersecting that of said door secured thereto substantially along a radius f said element so that its rotative center is substantially coincident with the door pivot, and a weight positioned on said element for universal movement in a single plane along the major portion of said circular periphery to permit its placement on either side of the plane of the door.

2. The combination with a draft regulator door arranged for swinging movement about a horizontal' pivot, of a sector-like element having one radial arm secured to the face of said door so that the included arc is substantially concentric with said pivot, and a weight positioned on said element for universal movement within the peripheral limits of the sector.

3. The combination with a draft regulator door arranged for swinging movement about a horizontal pivot, of a sector-like element having one radial arm secured to the face of said door so that the included arc is substantially concentric with said pivot, a weight positioned on said element for universalV movement within the peripheral limits of the sector, and means for xing said weight at any adjusted position. Y

4. The combination with a draft regulator door arranged for swinging movement about a horizontal pivot, of a sector-like element having one radial arm secured to the face of said door so `that .the included .arc -is substantially concentric with said pivot, the other radial arm extending -in a :direction substantially perpendicular tothe plan-e of said-door, fixed Abalancing weights `posi-- tioned on said element on opposite sides of vsaid pivot, andan adjustable weight positioned on 'sa'idelement for movement Within 4.the peripheral `limits of said sector.

5. The -combination with a draft regulator door arranged for -inward swinging movement l about a horizontalpivoh of a sector-like element having lone radial arml secured to the face of said door and the other extending below said'pivot to the inner -side thereof, variable weights positioned on vsai-d Aelement-on opposite sides of said` door, and a weight positioned Aon `said element for adjusting movement within the yperipheral limits -of said element. v

6. The combination'with a `draft regulatordoor arranged for inward lswinging movement about a horizontal pivot,-of a-sector-like element having one radial Varm secured to the face of said door and the other extending below said pivot Y.to the inner side thereof, variable weights positioned on said element on. opposite sides of said door, and a weight positioned on said element arranged for universal movement within the peripheral confines thereof. l p

7. The combination with a-draft regulator door arranged for inward swinging movement about a horizontal pivot, of a sector-like'element having one radial armsecured to the -face of said door andthe other extending below said pivot 'to the inner side thereof; variable weights positioned on said element on opposite-sides of said door, an arm pivoted at one end adjacent the juncture of said radial Yarms and swingable at the otheralong ythe arc vof the sector, and a weight slidable along said arm. v

8. The combination with a draft regulator door arranged `for inward swinging movementl about a horizontal pivot, of a sector-like element lhaving one radial arm secured to the face of said door and the other extending below said pivot to the inner side'thereof, variable weights positioned on said element on opposite sides of said door, an arm pivoted at one end adjacent the juncture of said radial arms and swingable at the other along the arc of the sector, a weight slidable along said arm, meansfor fixing said arm at any point in its swinging movement, and means for fixing said weight at any point in its sliding movement.

9. The combination with a draft regulator door arranged for inward swinging movement about a horizontal pivot,V of a sector-like element having one radial arm secured to the face of said door and the other extending below said pivot to the inner sidethereof, a flexible strap secured to the outer face of the sector arc above a plane through said pivot perpendicular to said door and seated therealong, a variable weight supported on said strap, a variable vweight positioned on said arc in substantially the plane of the. door, a third variable weight positioned on said element inside the plane of the door, and a fourth weight positioned on said element for universal movement in a single plane within the externalk limits of the sector-like element. i

10. A draft regulator including in combination a pivoted door at one edge, an element having a circular periphery and occupying a plane at right angles to said door secured thereto so that its rotative center is substantially rcoincident with the door pivot, variable weights iixedly positioned with reference to and on said element on opposite sides of the plane of the door, and a Weight positioned on said element for universal movement in a plane angular to that of the door and Within the limiting confines of said circular periphery.

11. A draft regulator including in combination a pivoted door, an element having a circular periphery and occupying a plane at right angles to said door secured thereto so that its rotative center is substantially coincident with the door pivot,` variable Weights xedly positioned With reference to and on sai-d element on opposite sides of the plane of the door, a `variable Weight positioned on said element substantially in the plane of the door, and a Weight positioned on said element for universal movement in a plane angular to that of the door and within the limiting connes of said circular periphery.

12. Counterbalancing mechanism for a pivoted draft-regulating door comprising a pair of intersecting arms, a continuous member connecting the outer ends of said arms and extending throughout more than 180 to form a composite element, variable Weights positioned on said element on opposite sides of one of said arms, a variable Weight positioned on said continuous member and lying Within a plane parallel to that of one of said arms, and a Weight positioned between said arms and continuous member for universal movement in a plane substantially parallel With that of said arms.

13. Counterbalancing mechanism for a pivoted draft-regulating door comprising a pair of intersecting arms connected at their outer extremities by a continuous member extending inrexcess of 180, another arm pivoted adjacent the intersection of said arms and extending toward said continuous member, means at the other end of said last-mentioned arm whereby the same can be X- edly positioned at pre-determined points along said continuous member, and a Weight slidable along said arm.

14. CounterbalancingV mechanism for apivoted draft-regulating door including a sector-like element, an arm slidably pivoted through a lostmotion connection adjacent the juncture of the radial arms of said element and slidably engaged with the periphery thereof, and a Weight slidably mounted on said arm.

15. Counterbalancing.mechanism for a pivoted draft-regulating door including a sector-like element, an arm pivoted adjacent the juncture of the radial arms of said element and slidably engaged With the periphery thereof, and a Weight slidablyA mounted on said arm.

16. Counterbalancing mechanism for a pivoted draft-regulating door including a sector-like element, an arm pivoted adjacent the juncture of the radial arms of said element and slidably engaged With the periphery thereof, a Weight slidably mounted on said arm, a weight xedly positioned on said element adjacent the juncture of o ne radial arm and the arc thereof, a second Weight xedly positioned on said element in a plane parallel to the other radial arm, and a weight secured to the arc of said sector at a point removed substantially 180 from said juncturelocated weight. Y Y

17. Counterbalancing mechanism for a pivoted ldraft-regulating door including a sector-like element, an arm pivoted adjacent the juncture of the radial arms of saidV element and slidably engaged with the periphery thereof, aWeight slidably mounted onsaid arm, a Weight xedly positioned on said element adjacent the juncture of Y oneradial arm and the arc thereof, a second.

WeightV xedly positioned on said element in a plane parallel to the other radial arm, a flexible vstrapsecured to the arc of said sector ata point removed substantially 180 from said juncturelocated Weight, and a variable Weight secured to said strap. y

RENE M. VIDALIE.

v CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTIQN.

Patent No. 2,155,150. v November 1, 1958,

t RENE M. VIDALIE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed. specification of theA above'numbered patent requiring correction 41s follows: Page 5, second column, line TO, claim 10,. for the words "pivoted door"A read door pivoted; end that the said Letters Patent 4should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent` Office.

Signed and sealed thi'e 20th dey ofvDecember, A, D. 1958. l y

VHenry' Van Arsdal'e (Seal) v y Acting Commissioner of Patents.v 

